Finally got a chance to hold some high end knives (sebenza) in person

bodog said:
Mine flipped like crap after the de-assist. Polished the washers, tried frog lube and fire clean (which is outstanding by the way) and it flipped absolutely terribly. Sanded the blade around the pivot, sanded the washers a little and re-polished, and nothing worked. I put the torsion bar back in and it'll stay assisted. On the plus side, though, even without the torsion bar the detent was good and no blade play developed. Sat centered and locked up fine.
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Strange. Mine was a beautiful flipper after I deassisted it. It was downright glorious, actually.

How do you mean it flipped horribly? Was it that it wouldn't fully deploy easily? Was it gritty? Or.......

OP, bearings aren't necessary for good flipping action. A well made washer flipper can sometimes be even BETTER than one that's riding on bearings. In fact, many people see bearings as a way of skimping on quality while still keeping the knife flipping well.
 
I have a 0566 and a 0566BW. I de-assisted one and left the other alone. I replaced the small washer with a large one and it actually centered up better than before. Smooth as silk!
 
knifeatagunfight said:
yah fondled the southard really liked it. Preferred the large sebenza to small. I really wish the zt 566cf wasn't assisted after holding that knife I think it would be perfect otherwise. a few things I figured out I didn't like pretty early on. Serrations, tanto blades and assisted opening.
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You learn quickly! It took me years to determine I didn't like serrations, American tantos and AO, though it didn't take that long to learn I don't like recurves, flippers or unnecessarily coated stainless steel blades.
 
No Knife Dealers in my area to actually handle a CRK. After years of wondering I just decided to order a Sebenza from one of our B/F's Dealers and I'm very pleased.
May even pick up an Umnumzaan down the road.
 
wvriverats said:
I have a 0566 and a 0566BW. I de-assisted one and left the other alone. I replaced the small washer with a large one and it actually centered up better than before. Smooth as silk!
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Not that mine needed it, but I did the same thing. The 566 is perfect de-assisted.
 
You (the OP) are definitely swimming in the right pond with the brands you're trying out - Spyderco, ZT, & Chris Reeve. After you've handled all of those, picking the right knife for you is just a matter of preference of aesthetics and performance now. None of these brands should let you down with regard to quality. I'm a big CRK fan, but i have models from each of these manufacturers in my EDC rotation.
 
Interesting... Obviously comparing the 566 (de-assisted) to a KVT ball bearing pivot I would say it opens like crap, but considering what it is I have no issues. It just takes a light flick of the wrist and it flies right open for me.
 
knifeatagunfight said:
I'm a relatively new knife enthusiast. I've had some cheap pocket knifes over the years, but it's been about a year since I got more serious. I have a small collection of knives now. My newest being a zt 562cf which I'm really liking as well as a couple of pm2s including the cts-204p sprint and a blur. Anyway, today I took a trip to recon 1. It's the only knife shop really around me that carries high end knives and has a big collection including customs. If your in the LA area definitely check it out. The guy at the counter was super nice and patient. I went there primarily to check out some Sebenzas in person. I have to say that knife both small and large felt incredible and was nicer than I though it would be (expected hype) and for me definitely lives up to what I'd heard. I also held a few Hinderers. They are well built knives but I have to say I was a little bit dissapointed given their cost. None of them opened anywhere near as nice as my 562cf in fact I couldn't even flip the 4 I tried all the way open with the flipper unless I put alot of wrist into it, which was suprising to me given their cost. I realize they come before, but the zt562cf is definitely a good value. The few Striders I held were nice but nothing I'd spring for. I really liked the zt0900 for an edc and i'll definitely be getting that one. The benchmades were a letdown. I feel like they are overpriced and cheap feeling compared to other knives in their price range.

These are just my opinions for the sake of discussion. Not trying to offend anyone. Definitely will be picking up a sebenza 21 plain.
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I enjoy these types of posts. It's fun to see how differently people experience this journey, and I appreciate the diversity of opinions.

Like you, I'm fortunate to live near a dealer with a storefront-- knives ship free is about 40 minutes from me. I've been able to go in and try out many knives before making buying decisions. The takeaways are often different. Some of my views after handling popular knives:

- the only crk I'm interested in is a small, plain insingo. Sebenzas don't blow me away. The appeal is simplicity. I couldn't care less about prestige or .00006 tolerances. I had money for one awhile back and left with a Lionsteel TiSpine.

- Benchmade... Don't like the 761. Don't like the 940 or 940-1. For that matter, I don't like many of them, at all. I hate the sound of the full size Grip, but kept fondling them because I love how they feel in hand. Eventually, I realized that the only thing I didn't like about the Grip is the sound. So, I bought 551s for my brother and I. The only other BMs I like are the North Fork G-10, Valet, 707 Sequel, and MPR. I want to love Benchmade, but I don't like much from them.

- ZT... So much great stuff. 0550, 0566, 0562, 0801, yes... Yes. 03xx, 0200, 0560, no thank you.

- Spyderco... Polarizing for me. I love them or hate them. Superstars for me are Domino, Dragonfly 2, Persistence. Some others like that I don't quite like: Military. It's gorgeous, but there is a lot of wasted size there for my purposes. Manix 2. Had one. Loved the handle. Hated looking at it. Native 5. Wanted one until I held it. Choil would be better if it were a little larger.


Naturally, the fun of this is that others can disagree and be right!
 
I live near knives ship free too, was in there just the other day for the first time actually! Although I didn't ask to see aCRK, I suppose I should go back, even thigh I cannot afford one right now...

I actually picked up a ZT0566BW, de-assisted it and it's great haha :)
 
Davidfs said:
I live near knives ship free too, was in there just the other day for the first time actually! Although I didn't ask to see aCRK, I suppose I should go back, even thigh I cannot afford one right now...

I actually picked up a ZT0566BW, de-assisted it and it's great haha :)
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Pleased to meet you, neighbor!

I left my 0566 assisted. It's my most used knife over the past 2 years. I love it. Plain, G-10 version. It is a great user.
 
knifeatagunfight said:
I'm a relatively new knife enthusiast. I've had some cheap pocket knifes over the years, but it's been about a year since I got more serious. I have a small collection of knives now. My newest being a zt 562cf which I'm really liking as well as a couple of pm2s including the cts-204p sprint and a blur. Anyway, today I took a trip to recon 1. It's the only knife shop really around me that carries high end knives and has a big collection including customs. If your in the LA area definitely check it out. The guy at the counter was super nice and patient. I went there primarily to check out some Sebenzas in person. I have to say that knife both small and large felt incredible and was nicer than I though it would be (expected hype) and for me definitely lives up to what I'd heard. I also held a few Hinderers. They are well built knives but I have to say I was a little bit dissapointed given their cost. None of them opened anywhere near as nice as my 562cf in fact I couldn't even flip the 4 I tried all the way open with the flipper unless I put alot of wrist into it, which was suprising to me given their cost. I realize they come before, but the zt562cf is definitely a good value. The few Striders I held were nice but nothing I'd spring for. I really liked the zt0900 for an edc and i'll definitely be getting that one. The benchmades were a letdown. I feel like they are overpriced and cheap feeling compared to other knives in their price range.

These are just my opinions for the sake of discussion. Not trying to offend anyone. Definitely will be picking up a sebenza 21 plain.
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Glad to hear you checked out Recon 1! I buy all of my knives there. Sako and Tamar take great care of me. I have already bought 12 knives from them since just the beginning of this year. The Sebenza you're going to get is a great knife. Considering the others you checked out, I'd suggest the Spyderco Slysz Bowie is one that you might like too.

I have a small Sebenza, a Southard, a 562CF, an 0900, a PM2, a Slysz Bowie and too many more....and I like my Slysz Bowie best. I'm not saying everyone will agree or that you should change your mind...just saying it's one GREAT knife that fits the list and price point you were looking at that would be worth checking out. Unfortunately Recon 1 doesn't have one at the moment because I bought their last one recently but they will have another one in stock soon.

I too was not that impressed with the Hinderers or the Striders and have not bought either yet because they just don't feel like they're worth the big $$. I played with both expecting them to be on "the next level" (above my Sebenza) based on the price and the hype and was disappointed to find out they are not any better quality at all. I don't mind spending lots of $$ on knives, but if I can get a Slysz Bowie and a Techno for $100 less than one Hinderer, or a Sebenza and a ZT0900 for the same price as a Hinderer I can't justify the Hinderer. The Striders at $300 - $475 are a little more realistic and eventually I will get around to bringing one home.
 
You're fortunate, OP, that you live relatively close to a shop that has ALL of these brands that you regularly see on BF where you can actually hold them and see them in person. Many here don't. Then again, it's fun setting those endorphins off while the dollar signs rack up in your head of all these knives you've gotta have.

A word about the Hinderer. They require a push rather than a pull to deploy the blade via the flipper. I'm curious how much the store was selling them for as I'm sure it was a pretty penny. I feel they are worth about exactly what Rick prices them for and wouldn't pay a dime more, and luckily haven't. I do think they are great knives, and particularly love the 3" XM as an EDC. It's a little harder to swallow that it's $385 and even more at a retailer.

I was not blown away the first time I held a Sebenza in the store, but I remember they were really nice and just felt and sounded different than anything I'd ever tried. The hydraulic smoothness was a subtle but nice thing to experience. I just remember I'd tried everything else under $200 I was remotely interested in and was ready to make the next step. I remember being torn standing there wishing there was a medium size because there is a large difference between the small and large. Ended up having to have both and now use and enjoy both. Ventured out to try several different CRK designs after that.

One that I think is important for people to hold before buying though I've never seen one in a store is Strider. The ergos can be off for some and never quite worked for me in the SnG. Some may question their price tag too, but from what I've heard recently about the warranty service (in a really good way) it helps ease the mind a little. I'm not ruling out trying a CC model one day but doubt I'll get to hold one first.

Enjoy the journey. Glad you got to see some of these first hand and form your own opinions.
 
uofaengr said:
You're fortunate, OP, that you live relatively close to a shop that has ALL of these brands that you regularly see on BF where you can actually hold them and see them in person. Many here don't. Then again, it's fun setting those endorphins off while the dollar signs rack up in your head of all these knives you've gotta have.

A word about the Hinderer. They require a push rather than a pull to deploy the blade via the flipper. I'm curious how much the store was selling them for as I'm sure it was a pretty penny. I feel they are worth about exactly what Rick prices them for and wouldn't pay a dime more, and luckily haven't. I do think they are great knives, and particularly love the 3" XM as an EDC. It's a little harder to swallow that it's $385 and even more at a retailer.

I was not blown away the first time I held a Sebenza in the store, but I remember they were really nice and just felt and sounded different than anything I'd ever tried. The hydraulic smoothness was a subtle but nice thing to experience. I just remember I'd tried everything else under $200 I was remotely interested in and was ready to make the next step. I remember being torn standing there wishing there was a medium size because there is a large difference between the small and large. Ended up having to have both and now use and enjoy both. Ventured out to try several different CRK designs after that.

One that I think is important for people to hold before buying though I've never seen one in a store is Strider. The ergos can be off for some and never quite worked for me in the SnG. Some may question their price tag too, but from what I've heard recently about the warranty service (in a really good way) it helps ease the mind a little. I'm not ruling out trying a CC model one day but doubt I'll get to hold one first.

Enjoy the journey. Glad you got to see some of these first hand and form your own opinions.
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well said
 
Krissig12 said:
How do you mean it flipped horribly? Was it that it wouldn't fully deploy easily? Was it gritty? Or.......
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Yes and yes. That's not saying it's a bad knife. I actually like it quite a bit, it just kind of sucked de-assisted.
 
knifeatagunfight said:
yah fondled the southard really liked it.
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The Spydie Southard is one of my favorites. You can't go wrong with one.

I really wish the zt 566cf wasn't assisted after holding that knife I think it would be perfect otherwise.
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The assist mechanism in the 0566 is easily removed by the end user. The knife was designed for this. I have an 0566 which I have left assisted, but I think I will take it out. I hear it flips more easily, and smoothly when removed.
 
If anyone is close to southern Wisconsin the Badger knife show is going on this weekend got to handle many knives ZT ,Hinderer,Sng lots of customs if you are interested in Chris Reeve stop at Gary's table Moore Cutlery is has a lot of NiB regular sebenzas plain ,annual,CCG tilock ,classic.
 
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